John Kirby

John Kirby

John Kirby (December 31, 1908 – June 14, 1952), was an American jazz double-bassist and bandleader. In addition to sideman work (prominently with Benny Goodman), Kirby is remembered for leading a successful chamber jazz sextet in the late 1930s and early 1940s, which scored several hit songs including "Loch Lomond" and the debut recording of "Undecided", a jazz standard. He is perhaps the first musician in the chamber jazz genre. Earlier in his career he also played trombone and tuba.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 31, 1908 (Winchester), Died June 14, 1952 (Hollywood)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass, tuba, director, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 176 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BS-07792	10-in.	4/14/1937	Buzzin' 'round with the bee	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-07793	10-in.	4/14/1937	Whoa babe	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-07794	10-in.	4/14/1937	Stompology	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-07864	10-in.	4/26/1937	On the sunny side of the street	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-07865	10-in.	4/26/1937	Rhythm, rhythm	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-07866	10-in.	4/26/1937	China stomp	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-07867	10-in.	4/26/1937	I know that you know	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-030774	10-in.	12/29/1938	Pick-a-rib	Benny Goodman Quintet	Jazz/dance quintet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-030775	10-in.	12/29/1938	Pick-a-rib	Benny Goodman Quintet	Jazz/dance quintet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-030776	10-in.	12/29/1938	I cried for you	Benny Goodman Quintet	Jazz/dance quintet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-030777	10-in.	12/29/1938	I know that you know (And you know that I know)	Benny Goodman Quartet	Jazz/dance quartet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-031460	10-in.	1/13/1939	Rosetta	Frankie Newton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-031461	10-in.	1/13/1939	Minor jive	Frankie Newton Orchestra ; Hugues Panassié	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-031462	10-in.	1/13/1939	The world is waiting for the sunrise	Frankie Newton Orchestra ; Hugues Panassié	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-031463	10-in.	1/13/1939	Who?	Frankie Newton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-031464	10-in.	1/13/1939	The blues my baby gave to me	Frankie Newton Orchestra ; Hugues Panassié	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-031465	10-in.	1/13/1939	Romping (Romping at Victor)	Frankie Newton Orchestra ; Hugues Panassié	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-063837	10-in.	5/1/1941	I see a million people (but all I can see is you)	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-063838	10-in.	5/1/1941	Oh, I'm evil	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-063839	10-in.	5/1/1941	You mean so much to me	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-063840	10-in.	5/1/1941	The boogie-woogie piggy	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-066879	10-in.	7/22/1941	Can't help lovin' dat man	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-066880	10-in.	7/22/1941	It ain't like that	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-066881	10-in.	7/22/1941	Anything	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass
Victor	BS-066882	10-in.	7/22/1941	City called heaven	Una Mae Carlisle	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance sextet	instrumentalist, string bass

(Results 1-25 of 176 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Kirby, John," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105538.

Kirby, John. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/105538.

"Kirby, John." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.